Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS)

This newly created air unit is part of our commitment to S.P.I.R.I.T. This city wide Code of Ideals acronym stands for: Service, Professionalism, Innovation, Respect, Integrity and Teamwork. By creating this Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) we are making strides toward the innovation portion.

The sUAS began in the summer of 2018, with a total of 13 members from the police and fire departments. All members completed a 60 hour flight school consisting of flight skills and emergency services operations. Over the following months, the Police Department filed for and was issued a Certificate of Authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

This certificate allows our joint public safety flight team to be able to conduct air operations, to include; active shooters, perimeter establishment, missing person’s searches, crime scene investigations, hazardous material checks and traffic assessments during City events. Being able to fly a sUAS gives us the versatility to immediately fly, rather than losing valuable time and potentially life while waiting for another jurisdictions resources.